משלי ד

Sons, heed the discipline of a father;
Listen and learn discernment,

For I give you good instruction;
Do not forsake my teaching.

Once I was a son to my father,
The tender darling of my mother.

He instructed me and said to me,
“Let your mind hold on to my words;
Keep my commandments and you will live.

Acquire wisdom, acquire discernment;
Do not forget and do not swerve from my words.

Do not forsake her and she will guard you;
Love her and she will protect you.

The beginning of wisdom is—acquire wisdom;
With all your acquisitions, acquire discernment.

Hug her to you and she will exalt you;
She will bring you honor if you embrace her.

She will adorn your head with a graceful wreath;
Crown you with a glorious diadem.”

My son, heed and take in my words,
And you will have many years of life.

I instruct you in the way of wisdom;
I guide you in straight courses.

You will walk without breaking stride;
When you run, you will not stumble.

Hold fast to discipline; do not let go;
Keep it; it is your life.

Do not enter on the path of the wicked;
Do not walk on the way of evildoers.

Avoid it; do not pass through it;
Turn away from it; pass it by.

For they cannot sleep unless they have done evil;
Unless they make someone fall they are robbed of sleep.

They eat the bread of wickedness
And drink the wine of lawlessness.

The path of the righteous is like radiant sunlight,
Ever brightening until noon.

The way of the wicked is all darkness;
They do not know what will make them stumble.

My son, listen to my speech;
Incline your ear to my words.

Do not lose sight of them;
Keep them in your mind.

They are life to those who find them,
Healing for the whole body.

More than all that you guard, guard your mind,
For it is the source of life.

Put crooked speech away from you;
Keep devious talk far from you.

Let your eyes look forward,
Your gaze be straight ahead.

Survey the course you take,
And all your ways will prosper.

Do not swerve to the right or the left;
Keep your feet from evil.